Turtles help Thomson owner hit energy managing heights

The owner of Thomson Airways is flying high after achieving an international standard for energy management. Travel group TUI UK & Ireland bagged the ISO 50001 award from the British […]

The owner of Thomson Airways is flying high after achieving an international standard for energy management.

Travel group TUI UK & Ireland bagged the ISO 50001 award from the British Standards Institution (BSI).

It slashed carbon emissions from UK operations by a fifth (19%) in just one year from October 2013 to September 2014.

A turtle-themed “traffic light” system showing energy use to staff in more than 600 stores, a smart meter rollout and the efforts of regional green champions helped the group which also owns holiday brand First Choice.

Screens showing red, sad turtles when action was needed and green, smiling turtles when energy saving targets were on track, called the TUI Turtle Dashboards, were the brainchild of TUI’s energy management team.

The group said this led to “significant behavioural changes” by the retail travel agents.

The company began rolling-out Smart Meters in 2010 and they are now in 95% of TUI UK & I’s retail estate.

Since then, the firm has got voltage optimisers, adapted building management systems, put in more efficient air con systems and when refitting shops, it uses LED lighting.

Head of Property and Portfolio Change, Chris Logan said the company is “committed to energy saving across the business”, adding they are “extremely proud” of colleagues’ efforts.

He added: “But we won’t stop there. We will continue to review our Energy Management System and introduce new sustainable initiatives throughout our company.”

Mark Gouldstone, Sustainability Management Specialist at BSI added: “The team should be proud of the hard work that has gone into implementing a system that enables them to improve energy performance, achieve sustainable growth and in turn maximise savings.”

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